African Pride...

Everywhere you walk in Addis Ababa, you see the national colours of Ethiopia proudly displayed; not just as flags, but shop window displays, taxi cab stickers, particularly attire (writstbands etc...). I don't think it just for the tourist. I am, somehow, led to believe that there is a level of unrivalled patriotism and national pride when it comes to this nation.

The folk talk about their country in cafes, in the cars etc...with such passion and endearment, it's quite moving. I am now looking forward to visiting other African nations and tasting some more of this "African Pride".

Nigeria Street...

Yup, that's a poster of my country, Nigeria on the bottom right of this shot. This road is in the Churchill Street district of Tikkur Ambessa, not too far from the Ethiopian Telecoms Commission.

I will be taking more shots along this road on my next trip. I'm not too sure why it has been named so, but there has been speculation that it's part of a government move to dedicate a number of streets to various African countries, or that it was part of a ceremony to welcome the Nigerian president Obasanjo on his last official visit.

Of course, I stand to be corrected.

In the Shade...

January is a gloriously warm time to visit Addis Ababa. I loved every minute of my stay there..! I so wanna go again...

"Fly Ethiopian..."

Waiting After School...

Timket 2007

Timket 2007

Timket 2007

Really sorry I haven't posted for a few days...been busy celebrating Easter. But here a couple more images from the Timket Festival.

I must say, the security detail (police, soldiers etc) were quite accommodating and helpful towards us, despite having the huge task of maintaining an orderly crowd.

There were the usual brightly coloured umbrellas all over the place...

Timket 2007

Timket 2007

The procession begins...

...arriving at Jal Meda...

Delicious Kitfo...

This dish must be tried out when you visit Addis. It took a while for me to get interested in it as all the other popular treats kept me distracted whenever we eat out; zil zil tibs, beg tibs, awaze tibs (did I mention that I love tibs!?!). But one day, we paid a visit to a very well known kitfo-bet in town. Can't remember the name, but it comes VERY highly recommended as do loads of others. And boy! What a dish! It's kind of like minced meat, cooked with Ethiopian butter and spices. It's delicious...I love this dish, really I do.

I promise, I promise, I promise (and I hardly promise): Food shots are on the agenda during my next trip. I admit I should've taken loads of food pictures, but I mainly got carried away with streetlife and the people doing different things. Next time, it'll be different.

Still, I'll try and dig up some more from the last trip later...

Priests walking by...

This was taken on another one of those days at the Swiss Cafe, behind the big Medhanialem church. I miss that place. You can't go wrong with their butter crossaints and a cup o' ginger tea...